I took PPD first and then PDD several weeks after. From what I understood the PPD test in more vague (Concepts) and PDD was a bit more in depth (practice). That being said they weren't that far off from each other in my experience. I read and re-read stuff like Building Construction Illustrated and such until I felt like I wasn't even paying attention. The last test (PDD) I hardly studied for because I felt like all the studying I did prior was enough.

_interstitial wrote:Are there free study materials for this? I know Brightwood has a bunch that you can pay for.

Use the convenient search bar in the upper right corner to search this forum... your question has been answered many times.

Use the NCARB 5.0 Handbook that has a reference matrix towards the end. The matrix provides you with all the approved reference material that can be used broken down by test. If you work at a decent size firm, you can usually find most of the materials listed in the matrix from coworkers.

toshea13 wrote:Hello all!I'm going to start prepping for PPD and PDD. Which exam should I take first (I need an ego boost) and how far apart should I take these exams?*I have taken PPP, CDS, and PA*

I have passed CDS, PPP & SPD. I am taking PPD in a few weeks. I chose PPD first because it is more concepts, while PDD is more practice/in depth.

My strategy for when I take the test is to hopefully pass PPD and then give myself a week to review, then take PDD. The tests are similar enough that it makes sense to take them close together. What doesn't make sense is to take them a day apart. If you fail PPD and then take PDD the next day, are you really prepared to pass PDD? I will schedule PDD once I pass or fail PPD. That way if I do fail I can schedule PDD closer to my retake date for PPD and take my time to really nail down the areas I need to study.

_interstitial wrote:Are there free study materials for this? I know Brightwood has a bunch that you can pay for.

Use the convenient search bar in the upper right corner to search this forum... your question has been answered many times.

Use the NCARB 5.0 Handbook that has a reference matrix towards the end. The matrix provides you with all the approved reference material that can be used broken down by test. If you work at a decent size firm, you can usually find most of the materials listed in the matrix from coworkers.

_interstitial wrote:This summary gives a sense of what I had in mind; mainly I was hoping for practice exams. I infer they're in there somewhere.

You have to pay for practice questions from Ballast, Brightwood, etc. BE CAUTIOUS! NCARB does not currently review or recommend any third-party study materials. Also, since the test is still newish, who knows if what Ballast and Brightwood offer actually reflect the exam...

Try your local AIA chapter. They might have a lending library or something for ARE study material.

_interstitial wrote: who knows if what Ballast and Brightwood offer actually reflect the exam...

Try your local AIA chapter. They might have a lending library or something for ARE study material.

Ummm, Me for one...I took both PPD and PDD and the practice tests by ballast are pretty close for many of the questions. The problem is that there's still a bunch of "best guess" hypotheticals that ncarb makes up, but at least you can capitalize on the more logical type questions. Have you ever used the "ARE sample Problems" by ballast? I'd strongly urge you to at least get BS, BDCS, SPD and PPP...Unfortunately, there are no case studies questions, but at least the there's close to 200-400 pretty solid MC. In fact, a few were almost identical on the test. Just my 2 cents...